The Tragic Comedians, Complete

and have the tongues in Summer, when a Swiss lad entered with a round grin to tell him that a lady on horseback below had asked for him-Dr. Alvan. Who could the lady

by all th

emurely, and

through surprise in him. Her heart thanked him

ed my political stuff, and fell on a letter to the professo

ru

come, you have found me! This time if I let

make a will

ith one of his bu

der which he was ready to match with a loyal devot

he sphinx has whispered. They ascended to the topmost of the mountain stages, to another caravanserai of tourists, whence the

as your destiny, yours is mine. We are one.' He poetized on his passion, and dramatized it: 'Stood you at the altar, I would pluck you from the man holding your hand! There is no escape for you. Nay, into the vaults, were you to grow pale and need my vital warmth-down to the vaults! Speak-or no: look! That will do. You hold a Titan in your eyes, like metal in the furnace, to turn him to any shape you please, li

ilde flutteringl

ehind the veil of our human conventions power is constant as ever, and to perceive the fact is to have the divining rod-to walk clear of shams. He is the teacher who shows where power exists: he is the leader who wakens and forms it. Why have I unfailingly succeeded?-I never doubted! The world voluntarily opens a path to those who step determinedly. You-to your honour?-I won't decide-but you have the longest in my experience resisted. I have a Durandal to hew the mountain walls; I have a voice for ears, a net for butterflies, a hook for fish, and desperation to plunge into marshes: but the feu follet will not be caught.

ever! do not cease talking

the mounta

hat you r

ooks you have

literature-

gar demand to have their pleasures in their own likeness-and let them swamp their troughs! they shall not degrade the fame of noble fiction. We are the choice public, which will have good writing for light reading. Poet, novelist, essayist, dramatist, shall be ranked honourable in my Republic. I am neither, but a man of law, a student of the sciences, a politician, on the road to government and

ed one

lvan date the first

!' he tur

good

who are with you: tell m

ve t

. You and I proclaim our Republic on these heights. All the ceremonies to follow. We will h

ot speak

mud. Decide at once, in the

isten to yo

ur hear

t mistre

f it. I make read

have been reading too much fiction a

play feu follet,

n by rules, b

you be

he Alvan who woul

needing protection! She has me fast-I am netted, centaur or man. That is between us two. But think of us facing the world, and trust me; take m

ve more courage than

steadied, specul

f while you can

but you thinks me b

nd it will be your salvation:-southward, over to Italy, that is the line of flight, and the subsequent struggle will be mine: you will not have to face it. But the courage for daily c

h cunning, 'do you doubt your abi

replied in a tone of unwont

hand fall. H

r to be unknown t

le? Pottering up steps that can be taken at one bound is very well for peasant pilgrims whose shrine is their bourne, and their kneecaps the footing stumps. But for us t

r defences. 'To-morrow morning we shall wander about; I must h

mand me,' said he

use for taking her destiny into his hands, she consenting,-it was also

th sexes, not encouraging to conversation in their look of pallid disgust of the art, Alvan started general topics and led them. The lead came to him naturally, because he was a natural speaker, of a mind both stored and effervescent; and he was genial, interested in every growth

ngaged?' said the

e. Prince Marko knew that there was another, a magical person, a genius of the ring, irresistible. He had been warned, that should the other come forth to claim her.... And she was about to write to him this very night to tell him... tell him fully.... In truth, she loved both, but each so differently! And both loved her! And she had to make her choice of one, and tell the prince she did love him, but... Dots are the best of symbols for rend

nce from mystery, she thought) announce the hour for her departure. He promised her a positive sunrise if she would delay. Her child lay recovering from an illness in the town below, and she could not stay. But Clotilde had coughed in the damp morning air, and it would, he urged, be dangerous for her to be exposed to it. Had not the lady heard her cough? She had, but personally she was obliged to go; with her child lying ill she could not remain. 'But, madam, do you hear that cough again? Will you drag her out with such a cough as that?' The lady repeated 'My child!' Clotilde said it had been

knowing when to

wn and laugh: 'You k

im to have som

they intrude after quitting their shores, if they diverge from the avenue of hotel-keepers and waiters: but C

duties,' he assented gen

to her that yo

forthwith courted the

him in a heavy downpou

u, and confided to one who knew how to outstrip pathfarers. She entered her hotel across the lake, and met a telegram. At night the wires flashed 'Sleep we

t yearning to repose and be curtained from the buzz of the excess of life tha

, an ideal lover!'

e only that, he might be withstood. But Alvan mounts high over such lovers: he is a wonder

seize an indication difficult to miss

d, for she had heard him ordering his morning bath at the

She found it repugnant to hear a word of Alvan as a perfect gentleman. Justly, however, she took him for a splendid nature, and assuming

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